Shelli and Christopher

Lara and Oliver

Aneta and Phil

Lisa and Rory

Heather and Neal

A Formal Destination Wedding on a Country Estate in England

The Happy Couple

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A dapper British groom and his American bride say "cheers" to friends, family, and each other at their intimate Thanksgiving nuptials in the bucolic English countryside.

Neal Callow and Heather Banta decided to marry on the English county of Somerset, the idyllic setting of such Jane Austen novels as "Persuasion" and "Northanger Abbey." For the reception, they chose Babington House, a 16th-century manor turned hotel and spa, and for the ceremony, the even older St. Andrew's Church in the nearby village of Mells.

Neal and Heather pose on the grounds of Babington House. He is wearing a Tom Ford suit; she's in a Delphine Manivet dress.

Photography: Aaron Delesie

The Scenery

The Bouquet

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Heather's bouquet of 'Juliet' roses, dusty pink and burgundy ranunculus, white anemones with black centers, trailing green amaranths, parsley, and mint arrived in time for prewedding photos; with it she wore sentimental jewelry, including her grandmother's gold charm bracelet. "It's the most valuable thing I own," she says.

Photography: Aaron Delesie

Jewelry

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Around her neck, Heather wore a Victorian-era compass on a long gold chain. "Neal gave it to me for my birthday one year, and I couldn't imagine walking down the aisle without it."

The Processional

The Ceremony

Neal and Heather's candlelit church ceremony started just before sunset.

Photography: Aaron Delesie

A Special Moment

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"The best moment was seeing Heather in her dress for the first time," says Neal, embracing her post-nuptials.

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Photography: Aaron Delesie

Transportation

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Iconic London transportation collected guests for the ride from the church to the reception site.

Photography: Aaron Delesie

Reception Table

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Guests sat at a long banquet table for dinner.

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Photography: Aaron Delesie

Dinner

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The menu included classic Thanksgiving fare, such as roast turkey with stuffing, cranberries, and sweet potatoes. "The holiday is about loved ones coming together, plus everyone traveling from the U.S. already had the time off," says Heather. "It worked out perfectly."

Photography: Aaron Delesie

Table Arrangements

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Ranunculus, roses, grasses, and berries make up the centerpieces.

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Photography: Aaron Delesie

Favors

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The newlyweds gave ornament versions of their getaway car as favors.

Photography: Aaron Delesie

The Dance Floor

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After dinner, the party took an energetic turn. A rock cover band beckoned guests onto the dance floor, where they remained long into the evening.

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Photography: Aaron Delesie

The Cake

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Heather and Neal cut their carrot cake; each tier is ringed with flags, reflecting their passion for travel.

Photography: Aaron Delesie

Fireworks

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The couple snuggle up to watch the fireworks at evening's end.

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Photography: Aaron Delesie

The Getaway Car

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The newlyweds drove away in a Rolls Royce that belonged to the bride's grandfather (an original producer of the 007 films).